South Texas: A Winter Texan’s Dream

While the northern part of the United States will be picking ice off of windshields or getting tangled in multiple layers of clothing, South Texas visitors will be lounging around the pool and exploring all that the region has to offer! The tropical climates of the Rio Grande Valley have enticed thousands of retired travelers, known as Winter Texans, into taking advantage of the weather and adventures available!

Museum of South Texas History

The Museum of South Texas History was founded in 1967 as the Hidalgo County Historical Museum. It’s grown over the years through a series of expansions to occupy a full city block. In 2003, the Museum completed a $5.5 million expansion and evolved its name to reflect its mission to represent the history of the entire region.

Gladys Porter Zoo

Lions, tigers and bears, oh my! The Glady’s Porter Zoo is located on 31-acres in central Brownsville. It’s both a visitor-oriented zoological and botanical park that’s dedicated to the preservation of nature through education, conservation and research. Take a wild adventure through Africa, Asia, Tropical America and Indo-Australia!

Iwo Jima Monument and Museum

Located on the grounds of the Marine Military Academy, the Iwo Jima Monument and Museum depicts five marines and one U.S. Navy corpsman shown in a Pulitzer Prize-winning photograph as they struggled to plant an American flag atop Mount Suribachi in Iwo Jima on February 23, 1945. The museum honors the heroic efforts of Marines everywhere but centers on the Battle of Iwo Jima.

International Museum of Art & Science (IMAS)

The International Museum of Art & Science (IMAS) is known for inspiring, educating and entertaining the public through various exhibits. Throughout the year, IMAS puts on several events for the whole family. During the summer, however, they have camps for different age groups and create different themes to keep kids learning, all while having fun. Not only does IMAS host a number of exhibits, it also has an outdoor learning environment that reflects scientific and environmental concepts specific to the Rio Grande River.

Sea Turtle Inc.

Founded in 1977, Sea Turtle Inc. is a non-profit organization dedicated to the preservation of endangered sea turtles living in the Gulf of Mexico. Located on South Padre Island, visitors can get a first-hand glimpse of how staff rescue, rehabilitate and release sea turtles back into the wild. STI is 100% funded by public donations and gift shop sales. It also awards scholarships to university-level biology students.

Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge

The Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge in Alamo is a 2,088-acre area that houses over 400 species of birds and half the number of butterfly species in North America. Often referred to as the “Jewel of the National Wildlife Refuge System”, it encompasses over 14 miles of trails that visitors can walk. Wildlife tours are also available. Visitors can also get a glimpse of the rich history that encompasses the RGV.

A Home Away from Home

For Winter Texans looking to make the Rio Grande Valley a permanent winter home, the City of Alamo offers an abundance of mobile home and recreational vehicle parks to suit different lifestyles. Learn more about Alamo by clicking here.